Beavers are returning: Ecological revival along Bulgarian rivers

Nature conservation experts documented an extremely rare event – the return of the Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber) to Bulgarian water streams, which marks a turning point in local ecological history.

Scientific research reveals a large-scale distribution of the species, with presences registered in 43 different locations across 28 rivers, including strategically important river systems such as Struma, Maritsa, and Danube. The most concentrated populations have been established in the areas around Ruse and the Pre-Balkan region.

An interesting fact is that the restoration is not the result of a targeted state program, but is due to natural migration from neighboring Romania. There, the species was restored as early as 1998 and gradually expanded its range towards the Danube riverside.

Biologists define the beaver as a true "ecosystem engineer" whose activity of building dams and reservoirs is of fundamental importance for maintaining wetlands and groundwater reservoirs. Its return is viewed as a critically important moment for restoring biodiversity.

Nature conservation organizations are already planning large-scale monitoring programs to closely track the distribution and ecological impact of the species. Experts describe this process as an extremely encouraging signal for the restoration of disturbed river ecosystems.